Singh named VP of strategy

Christus Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana has welcomed a new vice president of strategy and business development, Joban Singh. In his new role, Singh will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to drive growth and enhance the organization’s overall performance.

Singh has 10 years of experience in health care business development and is excited to bring his practices to the Christus southwestern Louisiana family.

Singh said over the next six months, he’s committed to growing with associates and leadership and becoming heavily involved within the southwestern Louisiana community.

Nicholas named senior VP

Dr. Kedrick Nicholas has been named senior vice president of student affairs at McNeese State University. His appointment was approved at the June meeting of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

Nicholas received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McNeese and his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He has been a member of the McNeese employee community for 18 years.

As senior vice president of student affairs, Nicholas will be overseeing and providing vision for all aspects of the student affairs at McNeese and work closely with President Wade Rousse on broad conceptual efforts on campus, university-wide budget management, partnerships with external entities and relationships with governing authorities on the system and state levels.

At McNeese, Nicholas was recently the dean of student affairs. He also served as dean of students, associate dean of students, director of campus life, engagement and student retention, assistant dean of student services, coordinator of student activities and  a verification officer in the financial aid office. During the 2023-2024 academic year, he guided an institutional transition at the University of New Orleans as a special assignment from ULS.

Nicholas was recently awarded the Dan Seymour Award for Outstanding Commitment to Student Affairs by the Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators (LACUSPA). Nicholas is a past recipient of the LACUSPA Mid-Manager of the Year Award.

He also received the ULS James Caillier Innovation and Inclusion Award for spearheading the ULS Black Male Summit, an event that fosters community building and networking to exchange strategies focused on success and opportunities for Black male faculty, staff  and students.

Chief Kuk with Writers Award

The National Fire Heritage Center proudly announces that Michael Louis Kuk, Chief Emeritus, author of an “Army Firefighter in Vietnam, 1970-1971,” has received the 2023 Benjamin Franklin Writers Bronze Award. This prestigious honor acknowledges authors who have made outstanding contributions to preserving the written history of America’s Fire Service.

Kuk’s book offers a vivid and compelling account of his experience as a combat firefighter in Vietnam, serving with the U.S. Army. Through its narrative, readers gain insights into how a small contingent of soldier-firefighters stationed in a combat zone tirelessly supported the war effort.

With nearly half a century of firefighting experience and having served as the senior fire chief for the Department of Defense/U.S. Army, Kuk brings unparalleled expertise to this subject. He holds a Ph.D. and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and 18 books.

Davis joins EXIT Realty Southern

SULPHUR — EXIT Realty Southern is pleased to announce that Kalene Davis has joined its growing team of dedicated real estate sales professionals.

EXIT Realty Southern, located at 3701 Maplewood Drive in Sulphur, Louisiana is a proud member of EXIT Realty of Louisiana’s rapidly expanding network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.

Dimas joins JD Bank

JENNINGS — JD Bank is pleased to announce that Megan Dimas has joined the team as vice president operations manager. In this role, Dimas will guide and ensure efficient and compliant operational functionality of branch processes for the company.

A native of Lake Charles, Dimas started her career in banking as a teller and held leadership roles in call center management and deposit operations over the past 22 years.

She is a community volunteer for the Partners In Education Program and Junior Achievement of Southwest Louisiana.

Visit LC gives ROSE Awards

Visit Lake Charles celebrated outstanding individuals within the Southwest Louisiana hospitality industry at its third annual ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards ceremony.

The ROSE Awards recognize exceptional performance in the hospitality industry. Eight outstanding hospitality professionals were nominated by members of the public and colleagues, and winners were selected by an impartial panel of judges.

The following professionals were honored as 2024 ROSE Award recipients:

Outstanding Hotel Sales Professional Award: Alicia Boutte, Prosperity Hospitality Management

Outstanding Culinary Professional Award: Chef Lyle Broussard, The Sportsbook at L’Auberge Casino Resort

Outstanding Casino Floor Professional Award: Monica Allison, Golden Nugget Lake Charles

Outstanding Food Service Professional Award: Michelle Burnworth, Cracker Barrel

Outstanding Bartending Professional Award: Megan Nezat, On the Rocks

Outstanding Housekeeping Professional Award: Jennifer Fransaw, Tru by Hilton Lake Charles

Outstanding Guest Services Professional Award: Mary Duhon, The Marco Hotel

Outstanding Transportation Professional Award: Donnie Glyenn, Biking Through the Lake LLC.